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What is the Difference Between Fiber Optic (Fiber Internet) and Wireless Broadband (Wi-Fi) ?

There are more than 5 billion internet users on the earth in 2021, and the total population of our human civilization is reaching 8 billion. As you finish reading this blog, more than 500 new people will have their very first experience with the Internet. It seems impossible to exist outside this multiverse.

When it comes to getting a new connection, you are left with two options. The first one is fiber optic, and the second is wireless broadband. Today we are going to show you the advantages and disadvantages of both, so you can make an informed decision. So let's get started, shall we?

Fiber optic

Let's first discuss the elephant in the room: the fiber optic connection. If you are interested in learning about fiber optics, we've simplified it for you. A fiber optic is a method of providing internet connection through pulses of light via strands of fiber that are made up of glass or, in some cases, plastic. It might come as a surprise to you, but the fiber optic diameter is equal to the strand of human hair.

Different types of fiber optic connections (Fiber Internet).

1. Single-mode cable

This has 2 fiberglass cables with a diameter of 8.4 to 10 microns which comes with one mode of transmission. The single-mode is much narrower, from which only one mode can propagate. It has a higher carrier bandwidth in comparison to the multimode fiber.

2. Multi-mode cable

This one has got a bit more diameter, and 2 fiber cables are used here. Multimode has a higher bandwidth speed for the medium range. On the other hand, due to multiple paths of light, the signal can experience distortion. Thus, multimode isn't recommended for long-distance connections.

Wireless broadband (Wi-Fi).

The world is slowly shifting to fiber-optic connection, but still, the power of wireless broadband has a stronghold. One of the biggest advantages of a wireless broadband connection is that it can be ready in just a few days and used as soon as groundworks are finished. There are tons of permits with fiber optic, and digging work needs to be done before the actual process. So wireless broadband is still one of the fastest ways to connect to the Internet, even in remote areas.

In addition to this, the speed of the Internet in wireless broadband services is almost equal to that of optic cable, but with less hassle. A mid-size tech company can easily manage all the network requirements with a 50 Mbps to 500 Mbps connection, which can be easily transmitted with a broadband connection.

Side-by-side comparison of fiber optic and wireless broadband

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two technologies, so it is easier for you to understand which one is a better option for you.

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Wrapping up

So, these were some of the major differences between a fiber-optic connection and a wireless broadband connection. When you are deciding to choose the right network connection, it would help if you weighed the benefits and the disadvantages to see which one is a better option for you.

If you are living in a remote area, then instead of waiting for the fiber connection to come, you must go with ACT Fibernet’s wireless connection. It is a much better option in several ways and provides connectivity even when you are living in the countryside. Apart from this, if you have the budget and live in urban areas where the groundwork has already been done, then a fiber-optic connection is the one for you.

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